Holster.



D. H. SNAVELY.

HOLSTER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20. 1915.

1,148,935. Patented Aug. 3,1915.

l/VVENTOR COLUMIHA PMNOBRAPH co, WASHINGTON. D. C-

nnmsnnr H. SNAVELY, or AMHERST, orrro.

oLsTnR.

1,1aaoe5.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedAug. 3,1915.

Application filed February 20, 1915. Serial No. 9,548.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DELBERT H. SNAVELY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Amherst, in the county of Lorain and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Holsters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

My invention relates to holsters for carrying pistols, more especially automatic pistols or other small firearms.

The principal object of my invention is to provide means which can be carried upon the person, preferably upon a belt, in which a pistol, especially an automatic pistol, can be conveniently carried and readily removed.

I also aim to provide means in which the pistol can be quickly and conveniently mounted, and in which upon its removal, there will be no, ora minimum, danger of accidentally injuring or discharging the pistol.

I also aim to provide means in which the more delicate parts of the instrument, such as the sights and the more vital parts, such as the safety, are protected while in the hol' ster, even against the most violent jars which may be conveyed to the holster in use.

I further provide means for removably holding the pistol in the holster, so that while it cannot be readily jarred or accidentally jerked out, it can be quickly removed by the user. The pistol should also be prevented from jumping about in the I also aim' holster, and this I aim to do. to accomplish these means, at the same time providing a device which can be conveniently and cheaply made, and Which furnishes ample protection to'the firearm when being carried upon the person.

Other objects of my invention and the invention itself will probably be better understood from a description of a specific embodiment of the invention, one of which is illustrated in the annexeddrawing.

Figure l is a side elevation of an embodiment of my invention, showing certain parts of the embodiment in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a side elevation taken'at right angles to the elevation shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown plan view in Fig. l and Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a of a block used in the vention illustrated.

Referring now to the embodiment of my nvention illustrated in the drawings, at 6 1s shown the main casing of the holster which may be made of any suitable material, such as leather. This casing is formed by coiling the leather into the desired shape. In the form shown, the casing is rectangular 1n cross-secti0n, and upon the outside consistsof one thickness of the material and on the inside, as shown at 6 and 6 of two plies of the material. The sides of the casmg are closed by fastening the plies 6 and 6 together by any suitable means, such as rivets or sewing, all of which is so Well known that it has not been illustrated. This embodiment of my inmethod leaves the outside of the holster free from the fastening means, which makes it more attractive in appearance and lessens the danger of the clothes being caught thereon. I The front of the casing is closed, as shown in Fig. 1, but a large slot 14, of suitable shape, is cut in the back of the casing for the entry and Withdrawal of the fire arm. The bottom and top of the backside, however, are' closed, as indicated at 14 and 14,, preferably by" material integral with the main piece from which the casing is made, as previously described.

Means are provided for retaining the fire arm in the casing, here shown as'a springpressed plunger mounted in the bottom of the casing. This plunger is shown at 3 and the spring which normally presses the same upward is shown at l. I prefer to mount these in a cell 13 formed by some stiif mate rial, such as sheet metal, and mounted in the bottom of the casing. The spring, here shown as a coil spring, abuts at one end against the plunger and at the other end against the bottom 2 of the casing. The upward movement of the plunger may be limited in some suitable way, such as by using a spring eXpansible only as far as it is desired the plunger shall rise in the casing.

The sheet metal forming the cell 13 is fastened to the wall of the main casing in any suitable way, such as by a rivet 4. The top of the casing is closed by a member 10. The means for retaining the fire arm in the holstermay also include a block 8 mounted in. the topof the casing and suitably shaped for cooperation with the plunger. In the embodiment shown,

for a purpose to'be explained; 1

Means are provided for attaching the holster to the belt or other device by which it is to be connected to the person of the user. This'means is here shown as a belt loop 11 provided with aplurality of slots 15, through which a belt may be inserted. The member 11 is connected in any suitable manner to the casing proper. I mayalso employ a suitable metallic band 9 for pro tecting the top of thecasing.

Means are provided for. protecting the sights of the fire arm when it isin the holster, which here consists of a block v5, which prevents the sights from striking against the interior of the front wall of the casing. This block retaining the fire arm Withinthe holster, as will be described, and as is illustrated in Fig. 1.. In the particular form shown, the inner of the tWoplies of material forming the inside wallof the casing is cut away at 7 to afford a protection for the safety device of the fire arm. The edges of the opening 7 engage the side of the fire arm and prevent the safety device from striking the side of the chamber, as will readily be apparent. The bottom of the casing is closed by a member 16, as illustrated in the draw- When it is desired to insert, the fire arm into the holster, the muzzle is placed against the plunger 3, and the same is depressed by forcing the muzzle downward to such an extent that the butt end 30 of the fire arm clears the edge 31 of the opening'14. The fire arm is then inserted in the casing, the barrel engaging the block 5. The plunger 3 being spring pressed upward, forces the butt 30 of the fire arm into the chamber formed by the casing block 8, the wall of the shoulder 21 camming the butt of the fire arm up into this recess. The back of the butt engages the shoulder 19, and the spring always maintaining a pressure upon the fire held in the holster in the position shown in Fig. 1, against any treatment to which it may be subjected. When it is desired to remove'the fire arm, pressure is applied to the stock 12 and the fire arm is forced downward, compressing the spring 1, until the butt of the firearm clears the edge of the shoulder 19, when it can be readily withdrawn in the same manner in which it was inserted. r Y

It will be readily understood that the shape of the parts may be modified to meet special kinds of fire arms; for example, the shape of the block 8 may be varied, and in Fig. 4: I have illustrated a block which may be employed where 15 or 38 caliber hammer this block ls provided block isprovided with a recess with a recess 20 and a curved shoulder 21, Y

may also cooperate in walland the recess 20 in the arm, it. Will be securely sights from fire arms are to be used. In this form the 40 and with projections 17 and 18, each of which is inclined so that the butt of the fire arm will be cammed either way into this recess and force the hammer into the recess 10, protecting the same, for example, by engaging the butt of the fire arm with the walls of the projections 17 and 18.

It will also be understood that other parts of the embodiments illustrated may be modified. In fact, I'have shown this special embodiment for the purpose of explaining my invention, and not that I wish tobe limited thereto, as many departures may be made from the particular embodiment illustrated and from the details thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim 1. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing for the pistol having closed ends'and an opening in its sidefor the. insertion and withdrawal of thepistol and apparatus including a spring-pressedmember for holding the pistol in the holster.

2. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing for the pistol having an opening in one of its sides for the insertion and withdrawal of the pistol, a block in one end of the casing having a recess for the inclosure of a portion of the pistolwhen the same is mounted in the holster, and a spring-pressed member in the other end of the casing to engage 'the other endv of the pistol and force a portion thereof into the recess in the block.

.3. In a pistol holster, the combinationof a casing for a pistol having an opening in the back side thereof for the insertion and withdrawal of the pistol, a block in said casing havinga recess therein, ,a springpressed plunger in said casing adapted to force one end of the pistol into said recess and a cam surface for directing such end of said pistol in said recess.

1. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing for a pistol having an opening therein, a recessed block and a springpressed plunger for retaining the pistol in the casing and means to prevent the pistol engaging the walls of thecasmg. s-

, 5; Ina pistol holster, the combination of a casing having an opening in the back side thereof for; the insertion and withdrawal of the pistol, and means to removably secure the pistol in the casing, including a spacing block adapted also to prevent the pistol sights engaging the walls of the casing. 1

'6. In a pistol holster, the combination of an elongated, rectangular casing having the larger part of its rear side wall cut away to form an opening for the insertion drawal of the pistol, a recessed block in the topof the casing, means forming a chamber and within the bottom of the casing, a spring-pressed plunger in said chamber adapted to engage the muzzle of the pistol and force the butt end into said recess, said block being provided with a cam surface to direct said pistol butt into said recess and a spacing block on the interior wall of the front side of the casing adapted to engage the pistol barrel between the pistol sights to prevent the sight engaging the casing and to limit the forward movement of the pistol in said casing. I

7. In a pistol holster, the combination of a parallelepiped shaped casing having a closed top and a long opening in one side thereof for the insertion and withdrawal of the pistol and means in the casing to engage and removably hold the pistol in the casing.

8. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing formed by coiling a sheet of material, means fastening the ends thereof together, closed ends for said casing, said casing having a long slot in one of its Walls for the insertion and withdrawal of the pistol, and means in said casing to removably hold the pistol in the casing.

9. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing having closed ends and an opening therein for the insertion and withdrawal of the pistol, apparatus mounted in the casing but independent thereof for firmly holding the pistol in the casing but permitting ready removal thereof.

10. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing formed by coiling a sheet of material, means to connect the ends of the sheet together, end pieces for said casing, said casing being provided with an opening in one of its side walls for the insertion and Withdrawal of a pistol, a block in one end of said casing, a spring-pressed plunger in said casing for engaging one portion of the pistol and forcing another portion into said recess, and a cam for directing such second named portion of the pistol into said recess, whereby the pistol is removably held in the holster.

11. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing having closed ends and an opening therein for the insertion and withdrawal of a pistol, means in said casing to removably hold the pistol therein, a portion of the easing adjacent the opening being cut away to afford protection to av delicate part of the pistol.

12. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing provided with closed ends and an opening for the insertion and withdrawal of the pistol, apparatus in the casing for removably holding the pistol in the casing and means to prevent the delicate parts of the pistol from engaging the walls of the casing.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the 13. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing provided with closed ends and an opening therein for the insertion and withdrawal of the yieldable resilient member and a catch for removably holding the pistol in the casing, and means to prevent the delicate parts of the pistol from engaging the walls of the casing.

14. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing formed by coiling a sheet of material on itself and fastening the ends together, means to fasten said ends" together, end members for the casing, the rear side of the casing being cut away to form an elongated opening for the insertion and withdrawal of the pistol, a block in the top of the casing having a recess therein, a chamber being formed in the bottom of, the casing, a spring-pressed plunger in said chamber adapted to engage the muzzle of the pistol and force the butt thereof into said recess, a cam for forcing the pistolbutt into said recess and means to prevent the delicate parts of the pistol from engaging the casing walls.

15. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing provided with an opening in one of its sides intermediate the casing ends for the insertion and withdrawal of the pistol, and a spring in one end of the casing for engaging the muzzle of the pistol and forcing the butt of the pistol into the other end of the casing.

16. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing provided with an opening intermediate its ends for the insertion and withdrawal of a pistol, spring means in one end of the casing to engage one end of the pistol and force the other end of the pistol into the otherend of the casing and cam means to direct the second named end of the pistol into the second named end of the holster.

17. In a pistol holster, the combination of a casing provided with an opening in its rear side for the insertion and withdrawal of a pistol, said opening being intermediate the ends of the casing and leaving chambers in the ends of the casing, spring means in the lower chamber of the casing for engaging the muzzle of the pistol and forcing the butt end thereof into the chamber in the other end of the casing and means to direct the butt end of the pistol into the chamber in the upper end of the holster.

In witness whereof, I have signed my name in the presence of two witnesses this 18th day of February, 1915.

DELBERT I-I. SNAVELY. lVitnesses:

F. O. RroI-IEY, JOHN S. RICHEY.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

pistol, apparatus including a 

